El Niño arrives Big-bodied and tenacious, Niederreiter looks to have immediate impact on struggling Jets By: Mike McIntyre Posted: 7:00 PM CST Monday, Feb. 27, 2023

He’s known affectionately to teammates as simply “El Niño.” Now, the Winnipeg Jets are hoping the newest player to blow into town can thaw out an offence that has gone ice cold.

Nino Niederreiter was all smiles Monday as he took his first strides at Canada Life Centre as a member of the home team. The 30-year-old Swiss star was obtained on Saturday afternoon from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a second-round draft pick. He’ll make his Jets debut on Tuesday night when they host the Los Angeles Kings, attempting to snap a three-game losing skid.

“I’ve played them enough over the last few years, I know exactly what kind of team it is,” Niederreiter said of his new employer.

“They’re a high-competitive team and they’re highly skilled, a lot of high-end talent. To come in here, it gives myself a great opportunity as well to play on a great team and, hopefully, go on a run here in the playoffs. Obviously, they were ahead of us when I was playing in Nashville.”

Winnipeg has scored just 33 goals in its last 16 games, going 6-10-0 in that span. The Central Division squad is trending in the wrong direction with just 22 games remaining and a playoff spot anything but guaranteed.

“I feel like my tenaciousness on the forecheck and in front of the net, getting those, hopefully, greasy goals and getting in the guy’s face in front of the net and all those crumbs. (I) think that’s my bread and butter,” Niederreiter said.

“(Brenden) Dillon picked me up (Monday) morning from the hotel and we just kind of joked about how annoying it was playing against him, in the corner, in front of the net and all those cross-checks I got, and same with (Blake) Wheeler. So, it’s definitely a lot of battles over the last few years and I’m definitely happy to be on that side now.”

It’s been a whirlwind couple days for Niederreiter, who wasn’t expected to get traded ahead of this Friday’s deadline. Nashville was in Arizona on Saturday when the call came down the line.

“I was just on the bus going back to the team hotel and then got called up to the front of the bus and got the news. Telling all the boys on the bus that you get traded was definitely an emotional part, but I’m definitely very excited to be here now,” he said.

“I feel like my tenaciousness on the forecheck and in front of the net, getting those, hopefully, greasy goals and getting in the guy’s face in front of the net and all those crumbs. (I) think that’s my bread and butter.”–Nino Niederreiter

A quick stop in Music City was required to grab his passport and some belongings before flying to Winnipeg on Sunday night. And then it was straight into the fire on Monday morning.

“It was definitely a hard practice, but it was good. I mean getting to know the guys right way,” said Niederreiter, who has 18 goals and 10 assists in 56 games this season. “Everybody seems like they want to take the next step. It was definitely an intense practice, but I had a long flight (Sunday) so I’m glad to get an intense practice.”

Jets coach Rick Bowness has put the shiny new toy on an intriguing line with centre Pierre-Luc Dubois and Nikolaj Ehlers. Niederreiter believes his style of play should mesh well.

“I definitely like to shoot the puck when I get the chance,” he said. “I think my game overall is right around the crease and try to get those rebounds in front of the net — hopefully if there’s a piece missing here hopefully it can be me.”

They’ve only had one skate together, but Ehlers already likes what he sees.

“He’s a guy that many of us have played against a lot. He’s a great player. I knew him a little bit before. I knew he’s a great guy. He’s going to be a great fit here and he’s going to help us a lot,” said Ehlers.

“Obviously it hasn’t been going the way that we want it to. The way that he plays is going to benefit us a lot. He’s a great skater, he can shoot. He battles hard and is a big body out there. We’re going to try, me and Dubie, to get some chemistry with him as quick as possible. Work on that and it’s going to be good.”

There may be a slight wrench in the debut plans, however, as Dubois left practice early on Monday.

“There would be a concern there. There is a nagging lower-body there. He’ll be a game-time decision,” said Bowness.

Niederreiter is signed for one more season at US$4 million but was moved as the Predators appear to be stripping the roster down for parts and attempting to rebuild on the fly. He’s hoping to make a speedy adjustment to his new surroundings and help out a club that is starving for a boost.

“It gives me definitely a chance to hopefully go into the playoffs and have a nice run. I feel like the West is wide open and everything is possible,” he said. “You’ve got to use the momentum we have right now to turn things around and go for a nice push. Everything is possible. You can end up being first, you can end up being eighth place and right now, you’ve just got to put yourself in the best position possible to have a good run.”

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Niederreiter will wear No. 62 for the Jets, as his two previous numbers were already claimed by Mason Appleton (No. 22) and Dominic Toninato (No. 21). Picking a single digit was out of the question.

“With my long last name I have to make sure there’s a number who kinds of fits the last name and I feel like 62 was a good number,” he said, with a chuckle.

Former Jets defenceman Luca Sbisa is a good friend of Niederreiter’s and has already hyped up some Winnipeg restaurants he should try.

“I mean, being traded or moving to a different team is always emotional. You don’t know what to expect. I made a lot of friends in Nashville and obviously getting here, it’s a whole new team, a whole new group. You’ve got to focus on getting to know every individual on a personal level,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to exploring the city and getting to know the whole city, the whole atmosphere. Obviously you know as a visiting team coming in here, it’s a passionate fan base.”

“With my long last name I have to make sure there’s a number who kinds of fits the last name and I feel like 62 was a good number.”–Nino Niederreiter

Ehlers believes adding Niederreiter to the mix will be a much-needed breath of fresh air, especially after winger Cole Perfetti suffered an upper-body injury last week that will keep him out for the rest of the regular season. Appleton is also dealing with an upper-body injury and missed Monday’s practice.

According to the coach, he’s “highly doubtful” to play against the Kings.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg

Mike McIntyre
Sports columnist

Mike McIntyre grew up wanting to be a professional wrestler. But when that dream fizzled, he put all his brawn into becoming a professional writer.

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